Again, National Grid Collapses, Throws Nigeria Into Darkness
. TCN Worries, Plans Investigative Public Hearing
. How Explosion Of Current Transformer At Jebba Caused Grid Collapse
By Sulaimon Salau
For the third time in five days, the national grid has collapsed again, leaving Nigerians in darkness.
Data obtained from the Nigerian System Operator’s portal revealed that the grid recorded zero Mega Watts as at 8:16am today (Saturday).
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in a swift reaction to the situation said the recent escalating incidence of grid disturbances often leading to marked outage in several states thus reversing many of the gains recently achieved in reducing infrastructure deficit and improving grid stability.
It stated: “Initial reports on the grid disturbance that occurred this morning indicate that today’s outage was triggered by an explosion of a current transformer at the Jebba transmission station at 0815hrs and associated cascade of power plants shutdown arising from the loss of load.
“However, efforts to restore supply have advanced with power significantly restored, as at 1300hrs, in 33 states and the FCT.
“In line with the provisions of the Electricity Act 2023, the unbundling of the System Operator function (ISO) out of Transmission Company of Nigeria Plc is ongoing with the expectation that an independent SO would engender more discipline in grid management and optimised investment in infrastructure.
“In pursuit of finding a permanent resolution to the challenges of the national grid, the Commission shall shortly conduct an investigative public hearing with a view to identifying immediate and remote causes of recurring incidence of grid disturbances and widespread outages.
“The date and venue of the public hearing will shortly be announced in the national dailies and stakeholders are encouraged to participate,” it stated.
